Pat's View: Inspirational Stories

Preserved Forever The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. It declared independence from England in 1776. It is 29 3/4 inches long and 24 ½ wide. Strong light and careless handling caused excessive fading in America's founding document. This founding document was far too valuable to lose. Something had to be done to preserve it. American leaders decided to display it in a special building called the National Archives Building. Three founding documents are housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are enclosed in a beautiful bronze case with slightly tinted green glass. The air inside the case is replaced with helium. The soft lighting is one more measure to prevent fading. Guards and a scanner safeguard the entrance, while armed guards stand on either side of the documents. At night and in the event of an emergency the document is immediately be lowered into a specially designed, massive cement vault for safe